Are you dying to be rich?

Many people tend to pursue wealth to the detriment of other areas in their life. Their health often gets neglected as they put more stress on their bodies, ignore exercise and rush here and there # all for extra money they could live without.

So why not learn to live below your means. You#ll be amazed at how much better you#ll feel # financially and physically. Living below your means also helps guarantee you#ll have money for college, retiring early if you want to, buying a second home # the choices are endless.

In a culture like ours, where we#re constantly bombarded by advertisements luring us to buy more and never-ending credit card offers, it#s hard to escape the spending trap. But it is possible, with a bit of effort.

Track all your expenses for one month. Yes, even your morning coffee counts and so does your parking money. It may be time-consuming, but you#ll be amazed at where your money goes and how much you really don#t need to buy.

Start saving. Put away a nest egg, some for emergencies and some for savings. You never know when you may need that extra cash, and it will prevent you from using your credit card.

Pay down debt. Free yourself from those monthly payments. If you get a raise, put some or all of that towards debt. Have some unexpected cash? Don#t spend it; pay off more of that debt.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Trying to compete with friends or neighbors will just lead to discontentment and increased spending. Buy things only when you absolutely need them # not just to outdo or impress someone else. Buy what you can afford, when you can afford it.

Forgo the budget # have a spending plan. Instead of concentrating on what you can#t spend, plan what you can spend with the money you have.

Simple though they may seem, these tips make all the difference in the long run. Adopt one or all today and see how your life will improve # you#ll discover a healthier, simpler lifestyle with less stress, time to exercise and eat right # all the qualities that will make you truly rich.